How to Raise Burpless Cucumbers

Burpless cucumbers are popular in salads and on relish trays.

Whether eaten in salads or prepared for pickling, cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables raised in home gardens. Burpless cucumbers are long and slender with thin skin, thus making them easier to chew than “standard” varieties. To grow Burpless cucumbers (called that because they are less bitter and supposedly easier on the digestive system), you’ll need a garden with fertile soil, ample growing space and direct sunlight.

Propagation,Tilling and Planting

1

Plant the seeds in peat pots, pellets or inorganic containers about three to four weeks before transplanting them to the garden. Place two or three seeds in each section. Water the seed pots and place them in front of a warm, sunny window. If using plastic or other kinds of containers, fill the pots with soil and press the seeds down about 1/2 inch to an inch below the surface. Plant seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost passes; be sure the soil is warm and moist.

2

Till the soil so that it is moist and loose and then layer 3 inches of composted organic matter or manure over the area. The garden must be well-draining and in full sun. Rake the soil into “hills” of dirt about 3 feet wide and 8 inches high; each mound will support three or four burpless cucumber plants. You can also plant seedlings in rows about 12 inches apart.

3

Place the burpless cucumber seedlings (in their peat pots) into the garden, either in rows or in “hills” (3 plants for every 36 inches). If you plant dry seeds directly into the soil, place 3 or 4 of them in a hole, about an inch deep. Water the seedlings thoroughly and repeat about once a week. A soaking rain will also do the trick, but too much water can damage the tiny seedling plants.

Care and Harvest

1

Fertilize burpless cucumber plants as soon as they begin to form vines, bud and produce fruit. Consult your local garden store for advice on nitrogen fertilizer products most suited for your garden’s soil. Spread the fertilizer around the plants and water it into the soil.

2

Place a wide trellis, fence, metal cage or several wooden stakes in the ground, about 3 inches from the plants. Burpless cucumber plants are vines; they must have something to climb onto so that fruits can develop and hang. The vines’ tendrils cling onto the structures. Use plant ties to secure the vines to the trellis or stakes, thus protecting them from wind damage. Remove dead plant material, weeds and inorganic debris from the garden.

3

Harvest burpless cucumbers when they are about 6 to 8 inches long, bright green, firm and crisp. Refrigerate the fruits as soon as possible. Burpless cucumbers grow for about 62 days from seed to harvest.

Things You Will Need

Burpless cucumber seeds

Potting soil or seed starting mix

Peat pots, pellets or containers

Water

Tiller or hoe

Rake

Organic compost or manure

Mulch

Trellis or wooden stakes

Plant ties

Nitrogen-based fertilizer

Tips

Use peat pots to sow the seeds so that you don't disturb roots when transplanting to the garden.

Till the soil in the early spring and then repeat the process before planting the seeds or seedlings.

Burpless cucumber plants have shallow roots; they need ample water.

Mulching will help keep the garden soil warm and the plants healthy.

Cucumber plants spread! They need a lot of room to grow.

Warnings

Keep the newly planted seedlings indoors until the danger of frost passes.

About the Author

Teri Silver began a career in 1984 as a news, sports and feature writer/reporter, anchor, editor, producer and program host for central Ohio radio and television stations. She has done work for stations including WTVN, WMNI and WOSU (NPR). Silver has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with an English minor from The Ohio State University.